Chapter 137 (3): Master, I Can't Control My Bloodlust

The dinner organized by Chen Yin that night was a relatively casual affair.

Yan Beihan had already done everything that needed to be done, relegating Chen Yin to the sidelines.

Even so, he still put on a very hospitable display.

During the course of the dinner, the subject of Night Demon was brought up on several occasions, and whenever any sensitive topics came up, Yin Shengong would apologetically inform Chen Yin that Deputy Pope Yan had ordered him to keep such information strictly confidential.

Both host and guest seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but Chen Yin's expression darkened as soon as Yin Shengong departed.

"That was a complete waste of time. Yan Beihan has already beaten me to the punch."

"Should I put an end to him?" Ye Yun asked.

A contemplative look appeared on Chen Yin's face.

"If you kill Yin Shengong on his way back to the One Heart Church, then all of Yan Beihan's efforts will have been for nought, and Night Demon will also come to resent her. It's a tempting idea, but if Deputy Pope Yan finds out, then we'll be in a lot of trouble, so it's not worth the risk. Besides, there's a good chance other people will do the job for us."

Right at this moment, Ye Feng entered the room and declared, "Young Master Chen Yun is currently dining at this very same restaurant and would like to invite you over for a drink."

A sense of dread instantly welled up in Chen Yin's heart.

Ever since he was humiliated by Feng Yun last time, Chen Yun had been constantly picking on Chen Yin, and it was clear that he had intentionally come here after hearing about Chen Yin's dinner arrangements with Yin Shengong.

The middle brother, Chen Wei, was surely also going to be present.

Ye Feng and Ye Yun were two guardian deities of the Chen Clan, and the former had been assigned to Chen Yun, while the latter was tasked with protecting Chen Yin, leaving Chen Wei with nothing.

Chen Wei didn't dare to get on Chen Yun's bad side, so he was constantly helping the latter target Chen Yin.

Hence, Chen Yin was constantly having to tread on eggshells back home, but even so, his two older brothers were never content to leave him alone.

"Looks like the two of you will get to see my brother making a fool out of me again tonight," Chen Yin said as he stood up with a wry smile.

Ye Feng offered no response, while Ye Yun heaved a forlorn sigh.

***

The next day, an official order was released from the headquarters of the main church, arranging selection trials for the top young prodigies of the main church and the hundreds of subsidiary churches and factions.

"The Guardians have challenged us, and they clearly think we're no match for them! Recently, we've had the upper hand over them, so they must be trying to use this as an opportunity to boost morale! We cannot allow them to succeed!"

The main church and all of its subsidiary factions immediately began making preparations for the upcoming selection trials, and even gambling stations had been set up with everyone placing bets on which young prodigies they thought would come out on top.

***

Yan Nan was very pleased with himself as he wrote another letter to Dongfang Sansan, proposing to raise the stakes.

He suggested sending invitations to all of the continent's top sects to serve as referees of the friendly matches.

Meanwhile, the Guardians had also commenced preparations for their selection trials. Both sides were very much looking forward to this grand occasion, and it had quickly become the most hotly discussed topic on the entire continent.

***

At the main church, it was finally time for Yin Shengong to meet with Feng Xing.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Pope Yin."

"Not at all, Young Master Xing. To what do I owe this honor?"

"I want to speak to you about Starlight, the helmsmaster of your One Heart Church's White Cloud Prefecture branch helm."

"Starlight?"

A hint of killing intent flashed through Yin Shengong's eyes at the mention of the name, and this did not slip Feng Xing's notice.

"That's right. Starlight is a very capable man."

"Indeed, he is, Young Master Xing. I will be sure to make good use of him when I get back to the One Heart Church."

"Forgive me for being blunt, Pope Yin, but I've heard that you're not very fond of Starlight."

Yin Shengong offered no response.

"Starlight has pledged his subordination to me, but he's not yet ready to come to the main church, so he will remain in the One Heart Church for now. During this time, I would like you to look after him for me. Can you do that, Pope Yin?"

"You summoned me here to see you just to speak about a mere helmsmaster of my church? Is he really worth the trouble, Young Master Xing?"

"That's not for you to worry about," Feng Xing said in a cold voice.

"Starlight is a member of my One Heart Church. By pledging his subordination to you in secret, he has betrayed me! Every place has its rules, and Starlight has blatantly broken the rules of the One Heart Church!"

Clearly, Yin Shengong was furious, but he didn't dare to rebuke Feng Xing.

"Oh? Would you like to educate me on the rules of your One Heart Church?"

"I wouldn't dare," Yin Shengong said in a deflated manner.

"Let me make this clear to you, Pope Yin: even though Starlight is currently still under your command, you must see to it that no harm befalls him! If anything happens to him, you will have to pay with your life!"

At this point, Yin Shengong was trembling with fury, but nevertheless, he lowered his head in a submissive manner as he guaranteed, "I can assure you that no harm will befall Starlight under my watch."

"Not only that, but you must give him fair opportunities! I don't need you to give him any preferential treatment, just allow him to earn promotions and make his way up the official hierarchy as normal. If he has made sufficient contributions to be promoted to hall master, then promote him to hall master! If he deserves to become your deputy, then let him fill that role! You are not to oppress or target him in any way, understood?"

The veins on Yin Shengong's forehead were bulging as he replied through gritted teeth, "I understand, but given Starlight's current trajectory, he's most likely not going to be able to go very far. His cultivation base is still quite lackluster, and our One Heart Church doesn't have much cultivation resources to spare for him."

"You don't need to worry about that! He's

my

subordinate now, so I'll see to it that he gets all the cultivation resources that he needs!"

After a long, enraged silence, Yin Shengong said, "I have two conditions!"

"Let's hear them."

"As soon as Starlight grows into his full potential, he must leave the One Heart Church right away and never return!"

"Sure!" Feng Xing scoffed with a cold sneer. "His future lies beyond the One Heart Church anyway."

"My second condition is that Starlight is not permitted to seek me out for vengeance over any of our past differences."

"That is also an acceptable request. Is there anything else you have to say?"

"No."

"In that case, I believe we're done here. Make sure to remember your promise to me. You're a smart man, Pope Yin, so don't do anything stupid."

With that, Feng Xing departed without another word.

In his eyes, someone who was only able to claim the position of pope of a subsidiary church at close to two thousand years of age really wasn't worthy of his attention at all.

He was only thirty years old this year, yet he could crush Yin Shengong in both cultivation base and combat prowess.

If it weren't for his connection to Starlight, Feng Xing wouldn't have ever given him even a second glance.

Only long after Feng Xing was gone did Yin Shengong emerge with a dark expression.

"What's wrong?" Wu Xiang asked in a concerned manner.

"Young Master Xing has taken a subordinate of mine."

Yin Shengong gave Wu Xiang a recount of his past differences with Starlight, as well as Starlight's ties with Ren Zhongyuan, then concluded in a resentful manner, "I was planning to get rid of him once I returned to the One Heart Church, but he's somehow managed to catch Young Master Xing's eye!"

"That's hardly anything to be upset over," Wu Xiang said as he gave Yin Shengong a pat on the shoulder. "Come, let's go buy some stuff together, and then you can go back to the One Heart Church. I still have to report back to my clan, so I'm going to stay here for a bit longer."

Even though it seemed like Yin Shengong was now safe, it would still be far too risky for Wu Xiang to return to the southeast with him.

"I've prepared some gifts for you and your clansmen, Chief Supervisor Wu. I hope you'll do me the honor of accepting these gifts."

"How thoughtful of you! But you really didn't have to."

If things hadn't gone so well for Yin Shengong on this trip, then Wu Xiang definitely wouldn't have accepted his gifts, but given the circumstances, he had no qualms accepting Yin Shengong's offerings.

"Make sure to be extra careful on your way back, Pope Yin," Wu Xiang cautioned in a meaningful voice.

"I will. Thank you, Chief Supervisor Wu."

From there, the two of them parted ways, and Yin Shengong went on a huge shopping spree.

For this purpose, Wu Xiang had even lent him a spatial ring.

At the moment, Yin Shengong felt like he had reached a new peak in life, and he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he took in the sights and scenes of the capital. He knew that as long as he remained in the capital, he would be safe. The true danger was on the way back.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Even though Yan Nan had already made his attitude very clear, Yin Shengong still didn't like his chances of returning to the One Heart Church alive.